Monday, March 10, 2014

Interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, registered his disgust with Senate Republicans for rejecting his bill to expand health care, education and other benefits for veterans. Sanders said, “I think there is widespread support across the country for this bill, and I frankly think there is a lot of support in the Senate for this bill. And what has happened, for the same old stupid partisan reasons, Republican leadership says well, we want to attach to this bill Iran sanctions, and they know that this is something that the president doesn’t want. They know it’s something that the secretary of state doesn’t want at this point. They know that the Democratic leadership doesn’t want it, and it’s a means to torpedo what is such an important piece of legislation for our veterans. I really get very upset.” Regarding GOP objections to the cost of the bill, Sanders said, “If you can’t afford to take care of your veterans, then don’t go war. These people are bearing the brunt of what war is about, We have a moral obligation to support them." Watch: